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When Schools Let Bullying Slide, Our Kids Get Hurt

Okabe & Haushalter Oct 13, 2018 Criminal Defense

Our schools are supposed to be safe havens for our children, places they can go to learn, play, and make lasting friendships. Teachers and school officials have a duty to ensure that every child under their care is protected.

Unfortunately, that is not what happened in the case of one local eighth-grader.

What Happened

The parents of an eighth grader have filed a claim against the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. They say that district official did not do enough to protect their son from being bullied repeatedly.

Ultimately, the boy ended up in the hospital because of their failure.

“We’re going to be holding the school district and all the players involved accountable,” said attorney Mark Haushalter.

The facts of the case show a pattern that should have been dealt with:

  • The bullying began last fall
  • This spring, it escalated with two attacks
  • One attack was captured on video

The attacks left the 13-year-old boy physically and emotionally scarred according to his father.

The school district says it took immediate action and worked to ensure the safety of the students involved.

The family was not convinced and began homeschooling their boy after he was also suspended for trying to fight back. This is when the family filed the first claim against the district, which was promptly rejected.

After the rejection, the family began working on filing a lawsuit, but their son missed his friends and returned to school.

That is when he was assaulted again, this time in a school restroom. His head was smashed against a sink, leaving him with a laceration on his forehead and a concussion.

This 13-year-old boy now has to see a neurologist and receives psychological counseling.

What You Can Do If You are In a Similar Situation

This is a case of negligence. When school officials fail to act to protect a student from being bullied, they should be held accountable. No parent should have to worry about what will happen to their child on a daily basis.

No child should fear walking through the doors of their school.

We trust school officials with the care of the people we love the most. When they violate that trust by ignoring obvious signs of bullying, what are your options?

Bullying has always been a problem, but now it is a plague in our school systems. With the rise of social media, there is no time or place our kids can get away from it. All too often, our children are teased, shamed, and ganged up on through the internet.

Once they get to school, the abuse can turn physical as well as psychological.

When bullying, whether digital, verbal, or physical, is reported to school officials, they must act. It is the only way to protect the children in their care.

When you need a Los Angeles school bullying attorney, contact Okabe & Haushalter today by clicking here or calling 310-430-7799 for a free consultation. Their knowledgeable and experienced team will investigate your claim and have your back for the entire case.